I've been trying to experiment more when it comes to my artwork. It wasn't until I saw all my work together on a display, that I noticed that a lot of the colour palettes I have been using for each piece have been quite similar. I wanted to branch out and work with a colour I never normally use. The colour purple.

​The majority of the flowers that I have been painting have been created using an array of different pinks and whites, and I wanted to see how I could bring purple into the mix, and whether I would like the finished product. Purple isn't a colour I normally paint with, as it's not a colour I would normally buy. Whether that be for flowers, or clothes, or home decor. However, I have had a lot of fun experimenting, and it has changed my view on this colour group.

'April', pictured above, is now one of my favourite pieces I have painted to date (and until it is sold, will reside in my bedroom where I can look at it everyday!).

My painting journey as a full time artist so far has definitely been a learning curve. Going from painting as a means of therapy, to now relying on it as my full-time income is a big eye-opener, but I honestly wouldn't change it for the world. I absolutely love what I do, and I love the freedom that this gives me. The fact that I now have the responsibility to create new work all the time inspires me to try new techniques and drives me to be more creative. This process is also teaching me what colour palettes work well, and how you invoke a different emotion within each painting depending on the colour palettes used.

I've realised with each piece that I create, I have to go through a process at the end where I decide what the painting will be called. After all, art is subjective, and each person will view each piece differently, with a different memory or thought in mind. For me, I like to spend time with the painting and imagine myself there, as if the painting were a photograph. I am inspired by nature, and the British countryside, and I like to think that each of my paintings represent a moment in time in the outdoors. I imagine the time of year, the weather, the scene, the people who would be there, whether it's in the great outdoors, or picnicking in your back garden. I want people who look at my paintings and feel themselves be present in a special moment.

It's true that no matter the size, whether it's a small dolls house painting or a painting that takes up an entire wall. It's about the memories that it brings to mind. The feeling that it creates. To me, the names of each piece are just as important as the piece itself. Each painting tells a story to me, and I want every person who purchases a painting to feel that when they look upon it in their homes. This experimentation with the colour purple has widened my vision of what emotions I want to share with my customers and the people who enjoy looking at my work.

​I find that I am constantly on my phone researching at the moment (as my family will agree!) and I find it hard to disconnect sometimes. Yet, this act of spending time with my work, and assessing the colours, the mark making, and the emotion that each piece brings, ignites that use of the imagination that today's social media craze can sometimes drain from us.

My challenge for you on this dark Sunday afternoon is to spend time igniting your imagination. Even if it's just for 5 minutes. Do something that brings joy and colour to your mind. Spend time thinking, and wondering and imagining. Think back to old memories, look at photos and imagine new memories. And when you're next scrolling through instagram or pinterest, spend time engaging with the images you see. Ask questions. How does it make you feel? What colours or formations can you see which you wouldn't have noticed if you had spent the usual couple of seconds just scrolling past. Take the time to really look at what you're seeing, and see what it sparks.

I hope this helps to ignite some creativity and imagination in your hearts as we move closer to Spring.

I love your addition of purple to your colour palette. It creates such a lovely depth to the flowers. I admit it is one of my favourite colours (along with Prussian Blue). I also love your challenges and prompts - put these and your images together and you'll soon have a book to publish too :-)